This review outlines the disruptions to delivery of cancer care caused by the COVID pandemic, including delays in diagnosis, surgery, and treatment, as well as the psychological impact. It is crucial that the needs of each patient and the risk–benefit profile of each therapy are analyzed regularly, so that creative and effective ways can be developed to offer uninterrupted, timely, and safe treatment to patients with ovarian cancer.
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has produced unprecedented disruptions and challenges globally, especially in the oncology community. In particular, the COVID crisis has impacted patients with ovarian cancer in multiple ways, including delays in diagnosis, surgery, and therapy, caused by several factors, including federal guidelines, patient choice, or other circumstances. Specifically, in-person office visits, laboratory tests, imaging studies, treatments, and surgeries have been the most affected by delays, which may have adverse effects on clinical outcomes. Moreover, interruptions in clinical trials have hampered research efforts to discover new therapies for ovarian cancer and may have ramifications for patients for many years to come.
The psychological impact of the pandemic is immense, with treatment delays and disruption of access to cancer care causing high levels of worry, as well as varying levels of anxiety and depression, and negatively impacting emotional health and well-being among patients with cancer. Further compounding the issue is the fact that access to psychological support is limited during this time by the same factors impacting oncologic care.
The delivery of cancer care has adapted to overcome these COVID-related challenges, with patients and their oncologists making efforts to balance the fears of COVID-19 with the consequences of delaying cancer care. Alternative strategies are being adopted to limit in-person hospital visits and thereby reduce spread of the disease. Oncology follow-ups are being conducted via telemedicine instead of in-person visits. New standards that are being implemented in clinical practices include the use of masks, temperature checks, and self-assessment questionnaires before entry to the clinic, and social distancing. COVID-19–free hubs have been established, where patients with cancer can receive treatment with less potential exposure to the virus.
Overall, during these pandemic times or during any other disruption, it is important that there are no delays in diagnosis, surgery, or treatment for any patient with cancer, including those with ovarian cancer, and the psychological needs of such patients must be adequately addressed. It is also crucial that the needs of each patient, and the risk–benefit profile of each therapy are analyzed regularly, so that creative and effective ways can be developed to offer uninterrupted, timely, and safe treatment to patients with ovarian cancer.
Source: Jacome LS, Deshmukh SK, Thulasiraman P, Holliday NP, Singh S. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ovarian cancer management: adjusting to the new normal. Cancer Manag Res. 2021;13:359-366.